Grameen Foundation : Resource Center : Print Newsletter : Spring 2005 : Philippines Experience Microfinance
Bringing to Life the Power of Microfinance in the Philippines
Program Committee Vice-Chair Janet McKinley Leads Visit
“I wish everyone could experience what we did.” That phrase was spoken again and again during Grameen DirectConnection’s trip to the Philippines in October 2004. Grameen DirectConnection takes small groups to visit GFUSA microfinance partners and explore microfinance programs first hand. What started as a lesson in microfinance grew into a compelling bond with the women it empowers and admiration for the changes they had made in their lives.
The week-long visit, organized by GFUSA and led by Janet McKinley, GFUSA’ s Program Committee Vice-Chair, began with a seminar hosted by the Asia Institute of Management. It was followed by trips to two GFUSA Philippine lending partners, the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD), and Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation, Inc. (NWTF). The trip provided behind-the-scenes looks at their projects and shared their vision for the future. Then came a visit to a “circle” meeting of about 30 borrowers on the island of Negros
(pronounced ney-gross) that brought to life the power of microfinance.
It was a hot afternoon. The meeting was held in a oneroom building with dirt floors. Children scurried around outside, looking curiously at the visitors to their community. “Who are these strangers?” one woman borrower asked another as they greeted the visitors with a friendly smile. “Are these the people who helped us start our businesses?”
Soon, each woman in the circle wanted to speak. One by one, they explained with pride how they started and planned to expand their tiny businesses. Each smiled proudly as she mentioned her children and talked about maybe sending at least one to college.
One borrower began to cry as she recounted her story. “She has eleven children. She named them all and told us what each is doing,” recalled Darcy Kopcho, who was visiting with her husband Richard. “The woman told us she works all the time, even when no one is looking. “This is what struck me,” Darcy says. “She was not pleading. She was just stating the facts. I guess at that moment I had an insight into the burden she carries.” Both Darcy and Richard of Palos Verdes, CA were newcomers to microfinance.
The pain, joy and self-esteem of these strong women pierced the heart of everyone in the room. Says Janet McKinley: “The power of microfinance is astonishing. It works across regions, across cultures, and across religions. It enables women to change their lives and their families’ lives with dignity. And it enables the most entrepreneurial, successful women to reach their highest potential, while still offering the opportunity for more modest improvement to all women.”
More Grameen DirectConnection trips are planned for 2005-6. For more information about the Grameen DirectConnection program, contact Dawn Suleri at 202.628.3560, ext. 129 or dsuleri@gfusa.org
Grameen Foundation : Resource Center : Print Newsletter : Spring 2005 : Philippines Experience Microfinance
Grameen Foundation uses microfinance and innovative technology to fight global poverty and bring opportunities to the world's poorest people. With tiny loans and financial services, we help the poor, mostly women, start businesses and escape poverty. Our global network of 55 microfinance institution (MFI) partners including our Growth Guarantee partners has touched more than 34 million people in 24 countries. In addition, we introduced and now sustain technology initiatives (Mifos and Village Phone) in Cameroon, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, bringing our total country outreach to 28.
+1-202-628-3560 www.grameenfoundation.org
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